Embassy
Embassy of South Africa, Montevideo
Montevideo
Dr Gabriel Otero 6337, 11500 Montevideo, Departamento de Montevideo
Uruguay visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens do not need a visa for Uruguay. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
URY
Uruguay
No visa needed
Tourists with eligible ordinary passports can visit without a visa.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in Uruguay.
Ways into Uruguay
Your passport and nationality decide whether you need a visa.
Visa not required For your passport90-day visa-free visitTourists with eligible ordinary passports can visit without a visa.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check the entry rules for your nationality and passport type.
- Show your passport at the border.
Documents required
- Valid ordinary passport
- You can ask to extend your stay; approval is needed.
- Special travel documents need a separate check.
Visa requiredTourist visaApply before travel if your passport requires a visa for a holiday.
- Stay
- 90–180 days
- Valid for
- 180 days
- Fee
- Check the fee with your consulate
- Entries
- Multiple
How to apply
- Contact the consulate that serves where you live.
- Send the form and required documents.
- Attend the interview.
- After approval, follow payment and passport stamping instructions.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Signed visa form
- Passport photo
- Return ticket or booking
- Hotel booking or host contact details
- Proof of income
- Interview
- An extra 90 days needs approval; a visa does not guarantee entry.
- Published entry deadlines differ: 60 or 180 days; confirm your visa's deadline.
Sources (25)Last updated 11 November 2026
- National Directorate of Migration: visa admission rules
- Foreign Ministry: starting a visa application
- Decree 356/018, article 1: consular visa categories
- Official Gazette: Decree 356/018, including entry deadlines and multiple entries
- Presidency: decree establishing visa categories
- Uruguay's consulate in New York: tourist visa
- Embassy of Uruguay in India: visa application form
- Uruguay's consulate in Lima: tourist visa
- Consulate General in Madrid: business visa
- Consulate General in Madrid: study visa
- Consulate General in Madrid: work visa
- Consulate General in Madrid: humanitarian and emergency visa
- Embassy in Cuba: congresses, conventions and seminars visa
- Embassy in Canada: applications, fees and processing times
- Family reunification procedure, updated September 2026
- Foreign Ministry: family reunification checklist
- National Directorate of Migration: temporary stay extension
- Ministry of the Interior: migration procedures and 90-day stay extensions
- Uruguay aviation authority: passenger entry, transit and departure
- Ministry of Public Health: entry health requirements
- Government-backed Live in Uruguay: digital nomad permit
- Uruguay XXI: digital nomad residence scheme
- National Directorate of Migration: provisional identity permit application
- Foreign Ministry: British–Uruguayan youth mobility scheme and London consular contacts
- Presidency: working holiday temporary residence for British participants
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from South Africa
- Plugs C F I LAdapter for some
- MoneyUYU $
- Time−5h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageSpanish
- Emergency911 police
Planning your Uruguay trip
- Plaza Independencia, MontevideoSee José Artigas's mausoleum and statue, surrounded by important buildings including Palacio Salvo and the presidential palaces.
- Montevideo's old townWalk through the old city gate to find museums and historic houses.
- Montevideo's RamblaThis 22 km waterfront promenade has beaches and sights along the way.
- Colonia del SacramentoIts well-preserved colonial district is a World Heritage site. It is about two and a half hours from Montevideo by bus.
Scams to watch for in Uruguay
- Theft of belongingsBelongings are stolen without a confrontation. Theft is a concern in Montevideo, but no specific pickpocket or distraction method is described.
- RobberyA person takes belongings through threats or force. Robbery is a concern in Montevideo, though no specific approach targeting tourists is described.
- BurglarySomeone enters a property to steal belongings. Burglary is a concern in Montevideo, but no particular hotel burglary method is described.
About Uruguay
Uruguay is a republic on the Atlantic coast of South America, between Brazil and Argentina.
- Capital
- Montevideo
- Money
- Uruguayan peso ($)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Time zone
- UTC-03:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +598
Other Africa passports
Going to Uruguay
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Uruguay with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do south african citizens need a visa for Uruguay?
South African citizens do not need a visa for Uruguay. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
How long can south african citizens stay in Uruguay?
Up to 90 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do uruguayan citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Uruguayan citizens do not need a visa for South Africa. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Uruguay?
Seychelles can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Uruguay are easier for south african citizens?
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile Ecuador, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Uruguay?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in Uruguay?
Uruguayan peso ($). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Uruguay?
Spanish.
How strong is the South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck